The Missouri senator’s comments come amid a broader, tumultuous moment for Republicans and allies of Trump both in Missouri and nationally.

During Mr. Trump's first term, his labor secretary, Alexander Acosta, resigned following criticism of his handling of Epstein's 2008 plea deal when he was a federal prosecutor in Florida. Epstein served 13 months in a jail work-release program after he was originally accused of sexually abusing dozens of girls and young women.

Members of Iowa’s all-Republican federal delegation say they were supportive of releasing information related to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein — but said the push in Congress to compel the U.

Okla., blocked a resolution that would require the Department of Justice to release all documents related to deceased, convicted child sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein on Thursday.

Long Island’s four U.S. House members all say the Trump administration should release records surrounding the case of Jeffrey Epstein. Release of the files has consumed Capitol Hill and the White House as President Donald Trump continues to balk at calls from some of his most ardent supporters to unseal the documents.

"As to why they have or have not, or will-you should ask the FBI." REPORTER: Why doesn't the president just order the FBI to release the full Epstein files -- just get it out there? KAROLINE LEAVITT,

On Wednesday, a federal judge denied a request to unseal grand jury transcripts from he investigation into Epstein.

Here’s how Donald Trump’s position on Jeffrey Epstein has changed over the year, and how the fallout over the Epstein files poses a particular challenge for him.